Tehran University of Medical Sciences Archives of Anesthesiology and Critical Care 2423-5849 0 0 2026 02 17 1422 1422 EN Hussein Hussein Department of Anesthesia, College of Health and Medical Technologies, Alayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq. Myasar Mohammed Department of General Surgery, College of Medicine, Diyala University, Diyala, Iraq. Qusay Yaqoob Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Kufa, Al-Kufa Street, Najaf, Iraq. Mohammed Sasaa Department of Anesthesia, College of Health and Medical Techniques, Al-Mustaqabal University, Hillah, Iraq. Majid Alhamaidah Department of Anesthesia, College of Health and Medical Technologies, Alayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq. Hussein Alkhfaji Department of Anesthesia, College of Health and Medical Technologies, Alayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq. Ammar Mahdi Department of Anesthesia, College of Health and Medical Techniques, University of Bilad Alrafidain, Diyala, Iraq. Abbass Haydar Department of Anesthesia, College of Health and Medical Technologies, Alayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq. 2025 09 26 2025 10 29 Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic cross-clamping are essential components of many cardiac surgical procedures. However, prolonged durations have been linked to adverse outcomes, including delayed recovery and increased intensive care unit (ICU) resource utilization. Understanding their impact is critical for improving perioperative management and optimizing patient outcomes. We aimed to assess how cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPBT) and aortic cross-clamp time (ACCT) affect the length of ICU stay in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Methods: Our study was retrospective clinical study which conducted at Nasiriya Heart Center, Iraq, between September 2023 and September 2024. A total of 100 patients (aged 18–65 years) who underwent elective cardiac surgery were included. Demographic data, type of surgery, admission and discharge dates, and intraoperative variables (CPBT and ACCT) were collected. Associations between CPBT, ACCT, and ICU stay were analysed by using suitable statistical approaches. Results: Of the 100 patients, 47% were male and 53% female, with a mean age of 44 years. The mean CPBT was 112.6 ± 44.2 minutes, and the mean ACCT was 69.0 ± 34.5 minutes. Gender showed no significant effect on ICU stay. In contrast, both prolonged CPBT and ACCT were significantly associated with longer ICU stays (P = 0.047 and P = 0.005, respectively). Conclusion: Extended CPBT and ACCT are significant predictors of prolonged ICU stay after cardiac surgery. Strategies to minimize intraoperative times may help reduce postoperative ICU occupancy and improve overall resource allocation in cardiac surgical care. https://aacc.tums.ac.ir/index.php/aacc/article/view/1422